Pope Benedict the 16th is considering visiting Mexico and Cuba in the spring of 2012, the Vatican announced today.

According to Federico Lombardi, head of the Holy See's press department, papal nuncios in the two countries were recently tasked with informing local religious and civil authorities of the probable visit.

The trip will be evaluated in depth in the coming weeks. The Pope will arrive at his final decision on the basis of these discussions and will announce his plans when and in the manner deemed appropriate, he told the press.

Lombardi explained that Pope Benedict's possible visit is part of a continental evangelization mission and of the preparations that are currently underway in connection with the celebration of the Year of Faith.

He also commented that, in Cuba's case, the Pope's visit marks 400 years since the discovery of the image of the Caridad del Cobre virgin.

He added that the itinerary was eminently practical, as Cuba and Mexico lie on the same travel route with respect to Rome.

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